NFL Gridiron Gab Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks For Week Three

Jacksonville at Indianapolis – This is an interesting game, as the Jags have a bruiser in Maurice Jones-Drew who hasn’t gotten going yet, and the Colts have momentum after their last second win over the Vikings. I have a feeling the Jags play better than their week two loss to the Texans, but look for Luck to have a little more September magic in his holster this week. Indianapolis 16 Jacksonville 13

Buffalo at Cleveland – The Browns last week had a great day on offense, but their defense is still without Joe Haden, and they were picked on all day by Andy Dalton. C.J. Spiller has been the offensive MVP of the league through two weeks, but the Browns D will try to focus on Spiller, and I think this is the week their offense and defense get it together enough to get a win. Cleveland 17 Buffalo 13

New York Jets at Miami – This is a must win for the Jets, who looked terrible in Pittsburgh, and have a tough slate coming up after this game vs the Dolphins. Miami was impressive vs the Raiders, but this is a much stiffer test with the Jets defense. Look for Mark Sanchez to get some revenge for a loss in South Florida last year, and for the Jets D to have a good game as well. NY Jets 23 Miami 10

Kansas City at New Orleans – Could the Chiefs be the worst team in the NFL? Looks that way along with the Titans two weeks in, and Drew Brees and an upset 0-2 Saints team will go after the Chiefs all day in this blowout win for the Saints. New Orleans 41 Kansas City 17

Detroit at Tennessee – The Titans have looked awful during the first two weeks of the season, and now their young D has to go up against a Lions team none to happy after losing to the Niners last week. Chris Johnson looks lost, and Jake Locker hasn’t been very good either. I don’t see that changing this week vs a good Lions squad. Detroit 37 Tennessee 21

Cincinnati at Washington – The Redskins are finally at home for the first time this year, and look for RGIII and his pals to have a homecoming with an offense that looks great two weeks in. The Bengals had issues holding Brandon Weeden and the Browns in check, and I think unless Andy Dalton has a huge day, it will be that way again Sunday vs the early rookie of the year. Washington 29 Cincinnati 23

San Francisco at Minnesota – The Niners are under the radar, and last week they once again proved of just how good they could be and will be in 2012. The Vikings had a solid comeback in Indy, only to have the Colts and Andrew Luck march down for a last second win. This could be ugly, as San Fran’s D is maybe the best in the game, and they will make it a long day for Christian Ponder. San Francisco 19 Minnesota 7

St.Louis at Chicago – The Rams pulled off a huge home win vs the Redskins last week, and they are playing well under new coach Jeff Fisher. They head to play a Bears team that has had to answer a lot of off the field questions about Jay Cutler yelling at teammates. I think the Bears at home are a solid play here, and Cutler will be able to keep his mouth shut dealing with his teammates. Chicago 23 St.Louis 14

Tampa Bay at Dallas – The Bucs have a new attitude, and it showed at the end of their loss to the Giants last week. Now they travel to play a Cowboys team that fell in Seattle badly, and want to rebound. I think Tony Romo has a solid bounce back game, but he’s got to be more careful with the ball. Look for the Cowboys to rely on a defense that needs to have a better game than in Seattle, and for the Cowboys to win a close one. Dallas 20 Tampa Bay 17

Atlanta at San Diego – A good matchup between two undefeated teams. The Falcons are another team no one is talking about, but two weeks in they are flying high, and are playing their 3rd straight AFC West club. I like Atlanta on the road here, as even with a short week I think the Chargers are still a little banged up, and I think their secondary will do enough to stop Philip Rivers and the Bolts. Atlanta 24 San Diego 20

Philadelphia at Arizona – The Eagles have won two games by a combined two points. Not sure what to think about the Cards here, they are at home, are also 2-0, and seem to have something going. Mike Vick has GOT to be careful with the ball, a couple turnovers like the first two weeks and it’ll be 2-1 for the Eagles. With that said, I think Philly shores up the turnovers, and gets out of the desert 3-0. Philadelphia 34 Arizona 26

Pittsburgh at Oakland – The Raiders have shown me little in the first two weeks, and now they play a Steelers team that looked awfully good last week vs the Jets. Their hope is that the Steelers offense makes a lot of mistakes, and I just can’t see that happening. Oakland needs to rush the ball with success, and need to stop Ben Roethlisberger and those WR’s. Won’t happen. Pittsburgh 28 Oakland 10

Houston at Denver – The “other” big AFC game of the week takes place in Denver, as Peyton Manning looks to rebound vs the Texans, who have allowed 10 points in two games. Love the Hosuton D here, and think that they will take a page out of the Falcons book. This is going to be a very nip and tuck affair, one that could come down to one big play. I think it’s the Texans that will make that big play down the stretch to get a huge win. Houston 17 Denver 14

New England at Baltimore – The two AFC Title Game teams from a season ago, and both coming off a tough loss last week. The Ravens will want some revenge, but they have to be careful not to be too amped up and find themselves making emotional mistakes. These seem to always be the types of games that the Pats win, but I just see them too banged up, and the Ravens at home are as tough as they come. Baltimore 20 New England 17

Monday:

Green Bay at Seattle – The Pack head to Seattle to wrap up the week, and the Hawks are flying high after beating up Tony Romo and the Cowboys. The Pack played a solid game vs the Bears, and have had plenty of time to prepare for this one, which is bad news for Hawks rookie QB Russell Wilson and his mates. Green Bay 24 Seattle 10